Rikhabdev or Kesariyaji Pilgrimage Center
Distance : 40km from Udaipur
¤ Rikhabdev
Better known as Kesariyaji, is situated 40km from Udaipur. It is
dedicated to Lord Rikhabdev, the first jain Tirthankara. Rikhabdev is
well known for its Adinath or Rikhabdev Temple.
*The antiquity of its existence cannot be traced but it was repaired
in the 14th and 15th centuries.
*Around 2km from Rikhabdev there is a place known as Pagliyaji where
the footprints of Lord Rikhabdev are placed and worshipped .
*A big fair is held annually in the month of Chaitra (Mar/Apr) on the
birthday of Lord Rikhabdev
¤ The Temple Attractions
Rikhabdev is famous only for its temple dedicated to Lord Rikhabdev,
the first Jain Tirthankara. Rikhabdev is also claimed by the
Vaishnavas as the eighth Avatar of Lord Vishnu. The temple belongs to
the Svetambara sect of the Jains but at present is under the control
of the State of Rajasthan. The temple is better known as Kesariyaji,
derived from kesar or saffron that is put on the forehead of the idol
of the Lord. The tribals, Bhils, who worship the idol, call it Kalaji
due to the black image of the idol. The town of Rikhabdev is also
known as Dhulev as the Bhil Dhula had once protected the idol and
worshipped it at this place. The Bhils are very loyal to this Lord and
always take an oath by uttering the name of Kalaji. No sign or
inscription as such has been found about the origin of the idol but it
is believed that it is very ancient. Locals here say that the idol was
there during the times of Ravana, the anti-hero of the epic Ramayana
(see Ancient Scriptures & Folklore). It is also said that Ravana
had carried the idol with him to Sri Lanka (Ceylon) from Nandan Vana
(forest) and Rama brought it back with him after his conquest of
Lanka. King Shripal and his wife Menasundari later installed it at
Ujjain. After that it was taken to Baghad region for some years, from
where it came back hidden in a tree. The idol was retrieved by Dhula
Bhil when it appeared in his dreams. The deity of Kesariyaji is said
to be so strong and influential that it has fulfilled the wishes of
most of his worshippers. The pilgrims, whose wishes have been granted,
besmear the idol with kesar or saffron often equal to the weight of
their child born.
The temple was repaired in the 14th and 15th centuries and the oldest
inscription found on the temple is that of 1424AD. The altar of the
temple was built in the 14th century. Just before the courtyard and in
front of the main temple there is an idol of Marudevi Mata, the mother
of Lord Rikhabdev, seated on a marble elephant.
¤ Pagliyaji Palace
Around 2km from the temple of Rikhabdev there is a place known as
Pagliyaji, where the footprints of Lord Rikhabdev are placed in a
cenotaph and worshipped quite dedicatedly. Just beside the chhatri
(cenotaph) there is a trunk of a tree from where it is believed that
the idol came out. In front of the tree there is another shrine where
the idol of the Lord is enclosed in a hall. A big fair is held
annually in the month of Chaitra (Mar/Apr) on the birthday of Lord
Rikhabdev, when a procession of the Lord proceeds from the temple to
Pagliyaji. |
